Councillor Lovelock / Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services

This report seeks endorsement for proposals to renew the existing BID and to set up a new Abbey Quarter BID for the period 2019 -2024.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report seeking endorsement for proposals to renew the existing retail Business Improvement District (BID) and to set up a new Abbey Quarter BID for the period 2019 -2024.  The following documents were attached to the report:

·         Appendix 1 – Summary and budget for the Retail BID renewal Proposal 2019-2024

·         Appendix 2 – Summary and budget for the Abbey Quarter Commercial BID 2019-2024

·         Appendix 3 – RBC Properties in the Proposed BID Areas

·         Appendix 4 Reading Retail BID 2019-24 Consultation ‘Have Your Say’.

·         Appendix 5 Abbey Quarter Commercial BID 2019-24 Consultation ‘Have your say

The report noted that the retail BID in the town centre had started in 2006 and been managed since its inception by the Council’s economic development company Reading UK CIC.  The most recent renewal of the BID had been in 2014 and the next was due in February 2019.  The BID was funded by a business levy in the designated area that amounted to nearly half a million pounds per year, and had delivered a range of services to help make the town centre safer, cleaner, more attractive, more vibrant and better connected, adding value to core public services.  The BID also acted as an advocate for the retail businesses and a partner to statutory bodies in bringing about improvements and positive change.  The report listed activities carried out by the BID between 2014 and 2018.

The report explained that consultation with the businesses in the BID had been carried out and identified priorities for inclusion in the renewal proposal, which was attached to the report at Appendix 1.  The report summarised the proposals which included: increasing footfall through more experiential events and greater levels of marketing; a discount scheme for employees; prioritising the use of the security budget into CCTV operatives; night time care for people enjoying the town and maintaining our Purple Flag status; provision of a BID Ranger supporting retailers to cut down shoplifting and supporting the Council and Police in dealing with anti-social behaviour; adding to the flower displays more widely across town and throughout the year; increasing levels of recycling; greater levels of social media marketing and communication in the town; and supporting the development and delivery of the Reading 2050 Vision.

In the last BID Plan (2014-19) it had been agreed that feasibility work be undertaken to consider extending the BID to cover the whole town centre and central business district.  The Abbey Quarter adjacent to the town centre was an important part of the Reading economy and home to a number of global companies and large commercial grade ‘A’ offices, with employees in this area being significant users of the retail town centre.  A proposal for new Commercial BID in the Abbey Quarter had been developed and was attached to the report at Appendix 2. 

Consultation had been carried out on the proposed Abbey Quarter BID and the report set out proposed priorities: promotion and marketing of the Abbey Quarter as a business location; infrastructure investment to improve the environment and safety of the area; facilities to encourage boats to moor alongside the historic area; a BID Ranger as part of a team of two operating across both BID areas; an events calendar for visitors to the Abbey area and employees of the BID companies, and a programme of work / life balance activities to support the well-being and active engagement of, employees in the area.

The report explained that the proposals to extend the existing BID and to set up an Abbey Quarter BID would each be the subject of an independent and bespoke ballot, and the report sought authority for the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services to vote on behalf of the Council in favour of both proposals.

Resolved –

(1)     That the proposals for the renewal of the Retail BID be endorsed;

(2)     That the proposals for the setting up of a new Commercial BID across the Abbey Quarter of the town centre be endorsed;

(3)     That the Council vote in favour of both the Retail and Commercial BID proposals in the forthcoming ballot;

(4)     That the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services be authorised to vote for the proposed BIDs.